"Spring sales provided little bounce for many retailers in April as unseasonably chilly - even downright cold - weather and never-seen- before prices at the gas pump kept most shoppers at home." -- CNN/Money (via Dow Jones), May 5, 2005.

"Retail sales jumped 1.4 percent in April, the strongest showing in six months, as consumers streamed back into auto showrooms and shopping malls in what was viewed as a signal that this year's economic slowdown was short-lived." -- AP, May 12, 2005.

The Dow Jones article also notes that large retail chains were "disappointed" in the 2.2% jump in same store sales from last year. That's more than 50% better than the national average.